he two talked for quite some time and Steven told her about the knight and the minstrel and the elf. “Flowers will not do,” declared the limner. “Do you not know, have you not heard, that the princess has a magnificent garden, filled with flowers of every description?” Steven shook his head in disappointment. “Besides,” continued the limner, “flowers wither and die. What you should bring her is a painting of extraordinary quality, something that will not fade or pass away. She could hang it in her chamber and gaze upon it always, and ever think of you.”
Steven emplored her, “Give me such a painting, and I will give you these flowers in return, for they are all that I have.”
The limner smiled, “that is enough,” she said. “It will be a great honor to have my painting hanging in the royal palace. And these flowers will serve as the inspiration for many more masterpieces.”
So Steven gave the limner the flowers and she gave him a painting. Then he thanked her and went on his way.